RIGA (Latvia) - Ergin Ataman has been named the Best Coach of FIBA EuroBasket 2025 after leading Türkiye to their first podium finish in 24 years.
The team wrote another great chapter in Turkish basketball history by reaching their second EuroBasket Final following 2001 - losing 88-83 to Germany. Türkiye's other top result was second place at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2010.
Ataman and Türkiye survived the Group Phase without a loss including beating tournament favorites Serbia in one of the best games in the event.
Türkiye struggled to put away Sweden in the opening game of the Knockout Phase before brushing aside Poland in the Quarter-Finals.
Ataman then masterminded his team to a blowout win over Greece in the Semi-Finals to reach their first EuroBasket Final and end a 24-year wait. The 59-year-old coach drew much praise for the defense he conceived to stop Greece superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, who scored just 12 points to snap a streak of 11 EuroBasket games with at least 25 points.
In the Final, Türkiye gave Germany all they could handle and only a team full of proven winners was able to withstand the Turkish game plan. Türkiye ended up matching their second place from 2001.
FIBA
